The EU General Court has ruled that the Principality of Monaco cannot register “Monaco” as a trademark.

Citing the notoriety of Monaco’s princely family, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and annual circus festival contributing to its wide recognition as a geographic place name, the court held that the Principality’s government cannot assert exclusive rights to the word “Monaco.”

The European court’s ruling is consistent with the denial of US federal trademark registration for words that are primarily geographically descriptive.

Find the case here:  curia.europa.eu